Top 10 Canoeing Vacations - Overall

Your choice of canoeing trip depends on personal preference. If you’re planning the next family vacation the quiet waters of the Orb in France is a perfect option, whereas if you’re an adrenaline junkie the wilds of Lake Baikal in Russia might be more your thing. From the Caribbean’s warm waters to Iceland’s ice floes there’s plenty of paddling variety in every region of the world.

Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand

Get up close and personal with the seals that call these gorgeous sea-drowned valleys home. This gorgeous area is largely uninhabited because of its difficult access making it perfect for undisturbed exploration.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Minnesota

Drink in the pure lakes and clean fresh air on 1500 miles of canoe waterways. Folks everywhere know of the lakes, wildflowers, game fish, birds, moose, bear and wolves on the Minnesota-Canadian border.

Island Hopping in the Cyclades, Greece

These rocky islands with their deep blue seas and sandy beaches are a fabulous way to explore archetypical Greece. Dine in the whitewashed fishing villages on your way.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

A jewel of the South African coastline and a mosaic of swamps, lakes, beaches, coral reefs, wetlands and coastal forests supporting animal, bird and marine life. It also takes in a 37 mile river mouth that has created a huge estuary; Lake St Lucia.

Ang Thong National Marine Park, Thailand

An archipelago of more than 40 islands with sandy beaches, hidden lagoons and great snorkeling and fishing opportunities so perfect it could have been a location for the famed Leonardo Di Caprio film The Beach. Throw in a mask and snorkel in your canoe and you’re set.

Lake Baikal, Russia

The world’s deepest lake in Siberia is a must do canoe trip. Imagine paddling over an expanse so great it contains one fifth of the world’s fresh water. Canoeing opportunities are endless. The lake has numerous islands, shores and abundant animal life to take in and is fed by several rivers and more than 300 mountain streams.

Wind River, Yukon, Canada

This is a trip of a lifetime through an untouched, wild landscape. Take in the glaciers, pick out the bears and revel in the tundra landscape or the northern lights in the winter season.

Clarence River, New South Wales

There is enough choice in this area to wet any paddler’s appetite with six rivers feeding into the mighty Clarence. Sections incorporate quiet billabongs, wild rapids and everything in between.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The vehicle of choice for these islands is the canoe, offering an intimate and unobtrusive encounter with the habitat and wildlife: barren volcanoes, intense vegetation, turtles, rainforest and sea lions.

Amalfi Coast, Italy

The sweet life can’t get any sweeter than seeing the volcanic archways, winding coastline, terraced vineyards and fishing boats of the Costeria Amalfitano from your own boat. Wander ashore for the occasional gelato, cappuccino and fine seafood dining, then work it off back in the canoe.